Cane Cars for the Triple O

Garden Railroading
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Paul,

I just updated my long-running blog “Progress on the Triple O” which partially details our efforts to come up with passable can cars and the thought behind them. Bottom line, after a careful look at a real one, some correspondence with enthusiasts (Cane railway enthusiasts? Who knew?), some inspiration from Eric Schade’s GR series on DIY tippers, good natured cajoling from other hobbyists, and a lot of trial and error, we ended up with a nice string of flats we can use as credible start to a fleet of little plantation vehicles. I can detail out things later if interest, but, for now, I want to simply try to use the video function!

Komaka Iki, M&K Sugar Co. #7, conducts operational tests of field expedient cane cars (video).

The originals here were green, but I sort of like the plain wood. The bar connecting my journals will be black to simulate iron. These will get bulkheads with chains running between them and then down to the deck. At least one will become Komaka Iki’s tender. Future flights might get commercial journals, and will probably serve as the basis for a water tank, box car, small gondola, whatever.

Aloha,

Eric

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Here’s some cane operations in Queensland.

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In a park in Brisbane. That’s me in the cab.

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Not necessarily a cane engine, but size equivalent. Atami, Japan, 2018.

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Paul, Thanks for all the pictures. Your suggestion we build a mill prompted some pondering. We have discussed it as a possible stand-alone extension, but that was something in the undetermined “someday.” I’ll get a photo up of an area that has possibilities on the existing layout. Some selective compression would be required, but I think a passable mill is doable…More to follow…Eric